Post navigation

Do you know your septic system’s date of installation? Many homeowners wonder about their septic system’s lifespan. Others assume it will last as long as their house remains standing. Are septic systems durable enough to last a generation or a single occupant’s lifetime?

The Typical Lifespan of a Septic System

We can’t really give you a solid figure regarding a system’s longevity because so many variables come into play. If we had to give you a number, we would say about 25 years, plus or minus 10 years. This is based on the factors we describe below.

Septic System Lifespan Factors

Septic systems undergo different degrees of stress, depending on the household activity. Do you regularly use the garbage disposal? How often do you do the laundry? A full family with multiple kids will subject a system to more stress than, say, a retired couple of two.

Even if the system does last roughly 25 years, that doesn’t mean those will be 25 years of trouble-free operation. Typically, homeowners only schedule a septic tank pumping or OSS inspection when they experience a problem. This is the wrong approach. To ensure maximum longevity and reliability, you should schedule regular maintenance yearly, or at least every two years.

Failure to conduct maintenance causes untreated solids to build up. Over time, this can damage the tank, the pipes, the leaching system, or distribution system. This could result in premature failure within as little as 10 years, even if the system is fairly new.

We Do Tank Pumping & Inspections

As the homeowner, you play a huge role in how long your septic system holds up. Contact Lil John Sanitary Services for maintenance. We also do grease trap cleaning and septic system work for facilities. A septic system’s lifespan is dependent on how well you maintain it along the way.

We appreciate Lil John's dedication to customer service, delivering fast and friendly service to all our job sites, as well as competitive pricing.
LJ's is our go-to industry partner for all our sanitary service needs!

Excellent customer service over the phone and in person. The driver answered all my questions and was very clear on preventative measures and likely culprit of the issue I was experiencing. Highly recommend. Competitive pricing too.